The Micro FourThirds system builds a bridge between the traditional compact camera and the DSLR. This means; the compact camera user is used to working with the LCD monitor mostly, whilst the DSLR photographer generally uses the optical viewfinder standard. The optical viewfinder has disappeared from the Panasonic G1 and has been replaced by a high resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF). In the Custom menu, the camera can be set to auto detection for when the eye approaches the viewfinder. The EVF offers sharp reproduction and extensive information about camera settings. The quality is one of the best, if not the best I have ever experienced. The speed of refreshing the image is 60 fps. The difference between the two monitors is noticeable in high contrast situations. The viewfinder then suffers from black shadow areas and loss of detail whereas the large monitor does reproduce details clearly.

Panasonic Mega O.I.S. image stabilization system
I find the MEGA O.I.S. image stabilization system adds a surplus value to the camera. The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G1 is fully supported by the presence of MEGA O.I.S. in the lens with which the camera is delivered. The effect of a system like this is visible in the pictures immediately and adds positively to the user's ease. The Panasonic G1 is an easy to operate camera that does not require you to study the manual in order to be able to work with it. Now and then, you will come across unknown possibilities such as Shutter speed preview. A brief eye on the manual and trying it out will help you get the hang of it quickly.

Panasonic G1 features a LCD preview mode
By the way, shutter speed preview is a very handy functionality. The effect of the selected shutter speed is simulated on the LCD via an LCD preview mode. If you are experimenting in finding the most effective shutter speed for capturing the motion of water etc., you will be able to choose the correct speed through this mode. Moreover, the Panasonic LUMIX G1 offers more effects. For example Film mode; this mode becomes available by just pressing a button once. It offers nine different Film modes, each of which comes with its very own characteristic features. You can choose from black/white, nostalgic, dynamic, standard etc. On top of that, you can invent two film modes manually and save these. Digital photo editing is therefore enabled even in-camera.

Setting possibilities of the Panasonic Lumix G1
Naturally, standard setting possibilities such as Auto and Scenes like Sports, Landscape are also available on the Panasonic LUMIX G1. Besides that, P/S/A/M mode is available for the creative photographer who wants to stay in control of the picture. Also very convenient is the so-called Q.menu that offers an overview on the monitor with the most important current settings. Pressing the Q.menu button again enables you to adjust these settings directly through the monitor. And if you want to take it easy, you just set the camera in the iA mode. This mode will take away all the concerns about settings and guarantees the most optimum setting. In practice, this mode proves astonishingly accurate and convenient to work with. To be honest; it's hard to resist the temptation to simply keep the camera in this mode at all times!

Panasonic G1 offers a well organised menu structure
The menu structure of the Panasonic LUMIX G1 is well organised and quite basic. The color of the menu in the capture mode is nice and quiet, whilst the reproduction mode looks somewhat brighter with some sort of 'spicy green' color. The multi-control button lets you navigate both easy and fast. Operating the Panasonic G1 was a pleasure indeed, and I can imagine anyone, from beginner to enhanced photographer, taking the camera and working with it immediately.